The Finale (The Dempster 2003, Part Four)

Dempster beautiful

It rained again most of the night. The entire truck was covered in muck. Every time we leaned against the running boards, or closed a door, or opened the camper, or touched a handle, we (or our clothes) would add another layer of mud. We began lifting Sam into the back seat to keep her paws and undercarriage clean. Our first order of business In Dawson City will be to wash the truck. 

We left Rock River and drove past Eagle Plains. It was too early to camp, so we drove on, stopping at a pull-off nestled in the boreal forest for the night. 

Again it rained, but the clouds began to clear in the early morning. We drove past Olgavie Ridge, admiring the fall colors. 

We stopped at a favorite campsite just north of the Tombstone visitor center, hoping to see the northern lights like we did in 2018. But it rained again that night. 

Our favorite campsite on the Dempster

We spent our last day on the Dempster just relaxing and enjoying the moment. A raven entered camp, and Sam went nuts.  David finally had to chase it away.

A raven taunts Sam

Chasing raven

Bye, Bye Blackbird

We made the short drive back to Two Moose Lake, and we actually saw two moose. Then we took a nice, long hike along the creek to the bottom of the Tombstone overlook.

 

A moose cow at Two Moose Lake

Tombstone from Valley hike

Another night in our camp spot, and another night of rain. It was bittersweet leaving the Dempster the next morning, but the clouds rolled back, and we were bathed in sunshine on our way out. 

It has been another successful run on the Dempster without losing a tire or having any major issues. We saw amazing animals, met some new friends (like Bill from Vancouver), and witnessed Autumn’s glory. 

We stopped at the entrance sign for a photo with Sam, commemorating our seventh trip up the Dempster. I'm thinking of hanging this photo next to a photo of Roxanne and us on our first trip. It will be a reminder of blessings and amazing moments and answered prayers. 

Commemorating a successful seventh trip up the Dempster.

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Perhaps I should mention just one more time… the Dempster is my favorite road. 

I came... I saw... I put my pooties in the Arctic Ocean